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The SNSF researches itself

© iStock/Olivier Le Moal

The SNSF is analysing its own activities. Together with the Research on Research Institute, it is contributing to the global knowledge base on research funding. The two organisations will present their projects at a hybrid event in Bern.

What impact does SNSF-funded research have? How can the SNSF optimise its evaluation processes? What does excellence in science mean? To answer questions such as these, the SNSF is examining itself using scientific methods. In the spirit of evidence-based research funding and policy, it is experimenting with alternative approaches to evaluation and grant allocation and analysing its activities and their impact.

For this purpose, the SNSF is building worldwide networks. As a member of the Research on Research Institute (RoRI), established in 2019, it is participating in large-scale, collaborative projects on topics linked to evaluation and the allocation of funding. RoRI is an international consortium of funding organisations and experts in the field of 'Research on Research'. The projects enable data and analyses to be shared and international comparisons to be drawn on the basis of common standards, creating a shared knowledge base for research funders.

After a two-year pilot phase, the next stage of RoRI will start in June. This phase will last for five years and involve a series of new experiments and analyses of research funding.

Public event on 20 June 2022

The event "Experiment, translate and transform: priorities for research on research" is a good opportunity to learn more about the activities of the SNSF and international developments in the field of 'Research on Research'. It is jointly organised by RoRI and the SNSF and will take place on 20 June from 3-6 pm at the Kursaal, Bern and online.

At this event, RoRI will present the results and highlights of its projects to date. In addition, international experts will discuss future projects. Speakers and panelists include Michael Nielsen, Sarah de Rijcke (Director of the Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Leiden University) and Matthias Egger (President of the National Research Council of the SNSF). The event is open to the public and will be held in English.